Chase the monkey.

I was due to make a 'comedy' diversion from Liverpool to Cumbria on the way to Rugby this afternoon, but the appointment was cancelled. I had planned to ride the North Face trail in Grizedale after work but, no matter, I opted to visit Cannock Chase and ride the bite-sized 'Follow the Dog' instead - it was en route.

They have been busy. The section at the start has been re-opened, complete with repaired board-walk and they have installed some new rock steps to stave off the inevitable erosion on the run-in.

I had thought that I would take it steady and see how the knee is and, all being well, may go round it twice. A few funny twinges under the knee-cap, but no real problem, although I was careful to keep it smooth (ish).

Now, there's no point being poncy about Trail Centres. We all ride bikes, so why criticize what turns someone else on ? This area has been developed to allow bike riding along side the commercial operation of farming trees. What's to dislike ?

What I really like are these trail markers. The key to 'follow the dot' riding. First bit of info is the grid reference, especially for those of us that know what a map is - excellent. If the sun's out I can generally keep track of orientation, if it's dull I have no idea which direction I'm heading after threading through trees for an hour !

'Bikes only' is a good message, walkers have their own paths too and the details of nearest escape route and hospital (with telephone number) completes the picture. I approve.

Half an hour in, I stumbled across the relatively new additional loop 'Chase the Monkey' and decided to give it a go and, I have to say, I was very impressed. It's early days and the trail doesn't suffer from the braking bumps created on the Dog - no doubt by people going much faster than me - but I reckon they have done a good job. There is some great singletrack, good climbs with tight switch-backs and some cracking downhill with wonderful flow (listen to me...).

The finale, before you rejoin the Dog, is a roller coaster down a steep hillside, through the trees with big fast berms and some nice tabletops and rollers. This was my first foray on such a route with flat pedals and what an education ! Obviously I cannot really ride a bike at all and envy those who can sample some air and not lose touch with the bike. Having said that, a few more rides on the hardtail with flats and I will be much faster clipped into the 575, both up and down :-)

I arrived at the hotel to be denied car parking because the hotel appears to have more rooms than car parking spaces. They suggested I park on the road, I decided that would be fine if I could make provision to secure the bike. Negotiations faltered, so I am now sharing my room with the Giant, much to the disgust of the apoplectic manager. They should think themselves lucky, if i had a Yeti with me, it would have been on the bed !

All that remains is to enjoy my glass of wine, relax and see how it all feels when I wake up. I hope the recovery continues.